The specter of Ty Law hangs over the Jets’ training camp like the humid haze that has players running to the water jugs every few minutes in the throes of acute thirst during two-a-days.

Periodically during practice, fans from the stands will blurt out, “When is Ty Law coming?” Later, they’ll stop reporters in the parking lot and ask: “What’s up with Ty Law? Is he coming here?”

Law is not yet a Jet, but his becoming one soon is a very real – not to mention tantalizing – possibility.

At the moment, the competition for the starting job at left cornerback is “wide open,” according to coach Herman Edwards.

Veteran nickel back Ray Mickens, coming off a serious knee injury that wrecked his 2004 season, is competing. So is rookie No. 2 draft pick Justin Miller, along with free agent Pete Hunter.

But until the situation is resolved with the 31-year-old Law, a free agent coming off surgery on his left foot, that Jets’ job will remain “wide open,” waiting for the former Patriots Pro-Bowler to close it.

According to people in his inner circle, the Jets are Law’s top choice among his possible suitors, which also includes the Lions and Jaguars.

Law has a great relationship with Edwards, who recruited him out of college while he was coaching defensive backs for the Buccaneers, and is on record in stating his desire to play for him. Law, too, has close friends on the Jets, beginning with Curtis Martin.

Law is salivating at the chance to play against his former team twice a year as an AFC East opponent to show the Patriots’ brass how wrong it was about him.

The Jets have already made an offer to Law. It obviously wasn’t enough to get him to sign, but that’s what negotiating is all about.

“There are a lot of things here that he thinks are positive for him,” Edwards said yesterday. “That’s always good. That always helps you.”

This is the way the Law situation is most likely to unfold:

* Once preseason games begin in another 10 days, Law will feel some urgency to get into a camp to learn the system and get ready for the season.

* His asking price, which has been reported to be somewhere around $6 million per year, likely will come down when he realizes none of his potential suitors is willing to go that high.

* And then, once he decides he can play for, say $3 million or $4 million with incentives, Law will opt for the Jets, because all things being equal, they are who he wants to play for.

The only thing that could derail the Jets signing Law is if a team like Detroit or Jacksonville panics and opts to pay him the $6 million or more, a number that would blow him away and force him to sign.

The Jets want Law and Law wants the Jets. Even Mickens, who craves that starting spot and wears Law’s No. 24, wants him here.

“The Jets wanting Ty Law is no snub to me,” Mickens said. “He’s a great player and if he came to this team I would gladly accept him, because it’s only going to make our team better.

“Would you want him in here or would you want him in New England? I’d rather have him here when we play New England. I definitely would welcome that.”

Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson said: “Somebody’s going to get him, and that’s when he brings down his price. If he brings his price down and we’ve got a chance to get him, let’s go get him.”

Law’s price will come down and the Jets will go get him, probably shortly after their Aug. 12 preseason opener against the Lions. At that time, the specter will have been lifted and replaced with reality.